Product Description

Once considered the Riviera of the Levant, in 1982 Lebanon had become a hellhole shattered by civil war. In a desperate attempt to save what is left and rebuild, the President orders the Marines to Beruit and into the center of the terrorists' bulleye.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2313273 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 352 pages

From Publishers Weekly
The much-publicized 1983 truck bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut forms the climax of this first novel by a former Marine NCO who was there. Moreau pits 25-year-old Sgt. David Griffin, a seven-year veteran enlistee, in a struggle of will and conscience against one Cpl. Steven Downs. Griffin longs to prove himself to the previous generation of Marines who spilled blood in Vietnam, while Downs seems to be a standard-issue college type?although he, too, is trying to define himself and break free of his own past. Both young men are chafing under the rules of engagement, an elaborate and oppressive code of conduct governing all Marines serving in Lebanon; the rules' enforcer, a vindictive first sergeant, is determined to find grounds to court martial both Griffin and Downs. A series of increasingly catastrophic situations?from a grenade ambush to a car bombing of the American Embassy to the struggle for possession of a Lebanese hill?lead to the dramatic final scene at the Battalion Landing Team Headquarters unit, which sees the death of almost 300 Marines. In the midst of all this conflict, Griffin and Downs unite to face a military inquiry. Moreau uses the building block of authentic detail to craft a solid tale about a little-known, undeclared war. Despite its unnecessarily sentimental epilogue, his debut should attract readers seeking to understand how the U.S. military is waging peace in the Middle East. A glossary provides a handy reference guide to military terms and acronyms.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
A barracks bombing in southern Lebanon on October 23, 1983, killed 241 U.S. Marines. Moreau, a Marine Corps veteran, served in Lebanon during the time of the bombing. His first novel is based on this ill-fated mission to keep the peace between Arabs and Israelis and between Muslim and Christian Lebanese. It's a war novel about a not-very-big war, filled with lots of talk about courage, code of honor, camaraderie, heroes, mud, and blood. Since Moreau was there, we must assume that Distant Valor is a more or less authentic depiction of the Marine Corps. With an ever-growing concern over acts of terrorism, Moreau's book has come along at a fortuitous time. George Cohen

From Kirkus Reviews
Strife-torn Lebanon in the early '80s, during the period when the Marines were there on a calamitous peacekeeping mission, is the setting for a bleakly affecting (if occasionally talky) debut from a former NCO who served in this lovely, treacherous land. David Griffin, a sergeant in an infantry unit living in the trenches ringing Beirut's seaside airport, has been in the USMC almost eight years without a chance to prove himself in combat. Frustrated by the ambiguities of a conflict in which he and his squad (bound by stringent rules of engagement) must exercise restraint while drawing fire from all sides, the career Marine is constantly torn between his fidelity to the Corps and an urge to fight back. Detailed to help in a rescue effort at the American Embassy, which has been bombed by local agents of an elusive Syrian Army officer, Griffin continues to chafe against the restrictions. In the hills outside the shell-shocked city, where he's been sent to escort forward observers back to US lines, Griffin deliberately provokes an arrogant militia chieftain and decimates his opponent's troops in the ensuing engagement. Back in camp, a vengeful first sergeant convinces Griffin's superiors to conduct an inquiry into the unauthorized encounter. Meantime, the Syrian officer targets the building used by the Marines as a barracks and office. On his orders, an explosives-laden truck levels the lightly defended complex. Almost 300 Marines die, and Downs wreaks violent vengeance upon a squad of snipers trying to take advantage of the confusion. At the close, a dozen years later, Downs (now married to the girl he left behind, and the father of two young children) is slowly reconciling himself to the losses of his youth. A haunting slice of military life that unsparingly catalogues the risks, rewards, pain, and joys of casting one's lot with warriors. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

All Officers Must Read!!!
A superb book for any would-be leader. A must read for young Commissioned Officers in any branch. You must understand the conflicts an NCO experiences during your absence--the absence may be due to your missing character, your narcissism--your service academy notion that you are always indispensable. Officers are often their own impediment to effectiveness. The young NCO in "Distant Valor" is doing the best he can. The First Sergeant, who has the trust of the Officers, is out of control, and everyone looks the other way because of a few hashmarks. The Junior NCOs are left holding the bag. NO senior enlisted leadership other than a corrupt 1st sergeant and NO Officer leadership until after the fact. Ineffectual Officer Careerism is shown to be the Mortal Sin that is always is. The spit and polish of the Corps is there at long green table of a courts martial proceeding. While the Officers were busy crossing the "t's", no officer wanted the ugly job of backing down the moslem militia chieftain. Read this book and walk a mile in their boots. Put yourself in their shoes. Find out where you fit in this complex weave of characters and then re-evaluate. Where SHOULD you fit? Should your version of leadership change? What is more important? Your Men? Your Country, or your career? Find the Balance... What would Chesty do? What would one of those "potted palms" back at Division" do ?

An insightful tribute to the Marines who served in Beirut.
C. X. Moreau's book is a must read for all Marines--former and active duty--enlisted and OFFICERS! It is not just a story of the Marines' experience in Beirut, but an insightful view of the inner workings of the Corps. It explores the personal relationships between officers and enlisted Marines as well as those between senior staff NCO's and all of the other ranks. It is my opinion that Moreau is making a dynamic statement about the raw courage of the Marines with whom he served as well as voicing his frustration with some of the legitimate problems he encountered. His characters are set forth in an honest manner that not only shows their personal strengths and weaknesses but also provides an insightful view into the strengths and weaknesses of the Marine Corps system itself. This book should be utilized by each Marine for an in-depth objective review of his own current or past performance. I consider Moreau to be a patriotic and loyal Marine whose honesty has been provided for the benefit of today's Marines and a tribute to those courageous Marines with whom he served. Semper Fi, Moreau, from a former Marine officer whose respect you have thoroughly earned!

C.X. Moreau Doesn't Do Sugarcoating for the Brass!
Unlike many contemporary authors who have never served a day in the military and always write about officers, C.X. Moreau digs into the minds of the enlisted men serving in Beirut during the early 1980s. His description of the antics of a First Sergeant who is out of control is so real - only a former marine could truly relate. The real tragedy in the book is that the U.S. Embassy was bombed in April - why was that bombing not a huge red light for Marine Corps officers and the U.S. intelligence community? I was a little disappointed in Moreau's handling of the embassy incident. There are not just civilians in our embassies - the marine detachments and the Defense Attache Office are very much a part of most U.S. embassies. Overall, the book was excellent. Moreau was not grinding an ax, but telling it like it was. Hats off to a good read and semper fi from a former marine sgt.